U.S. relaxes air travel restrictions

Air travellers will be allowed to carry drinks bought at the airport onto planes and to have small amounts of liquids and gels in their carry-on bags, the Department of Homeland Security said today.

The new rules, which will go into effect Tuesday, allow travellers to carry liquids, gels or aerosols in containers of 3 ounces or less, as long as they all fit into a clear 1-quart plastic bag that can be screened at the security checkpoint. Drinks and other items purchased in the secure part of the airport, beyond the checkpoint, will also be allowed onto planes.

The new regulations will apply to all domestic and international flights departing from United States airports, the agency said.

The decision slightly relaxes a broad ban on liquids and gels in carry-on bags. The ban was imposed last month after British officials arrested a group of people who they said were planning to bomb airplanes flying to the United States, using liquids combined on board to form explosives.

The changes ease the "somewhat blunt measures" imposed on Aug. 10 after the arrests in Britain, said Michael Jackson, the deputy secretary of the department. He said security experts had concluded that small quantities of eye drops, lip gloss or perfume do not constitute a danger to aircraft.

The new rules appear not to affect purchases in duty-free shops, which must be packed in checked luggage for domestic travel, under Transportation Security Administration rules.

The changes, announced at a news conference today in Washington, reflect a conclusion among officials in Europe and North America that a total ban on liquids is no longer needed to ensure security.

Homeland Security officials said that they expected Canada to announce similar new rules today and that some European countries were moving in the same direction.

Air travellers can still put their liquids and gels in their checked luggage to speed their passage through security checks, officials said. Carry-on bags should be simply packed and easy to inspect, to avoid slowing down lines at security checkpoints, they said.

(NEWYORK TIMES)